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The recent change in the law on squatting criminalises a section of the population which, in the main, is focused on community action and speaking truth to power. The change in the law was brought in supposedly to protect homeowners who returned from holiday to find their houses occupied by squatters and a few high profile cases were cited as justification for the change. But 160 experts wrote an open letter explaining that the pre-existing law contained the necessary provisions to address such cases. Nonetheless, supported by public prejudice and misinformation, the law was passed. Leaving aside how this new law will exacerbate homelessness at a time of the worst housing crisis in recent history, this law is another brick in the wall to close down dissent and quash opposition to the increasingly authoritarian state.